Short Essay Questions

2. What happens when Q, Radar and Ben approach an abandoned building in their search for Margo?

3. What do the three boys find in Margo's room?

4. What does Margo do to wreck vengeance on Jase?

5. How does Q handle the problems with the school bullies?

6. What does Margo say about her boyfriend, Jase, and what is Q's reaction?

7. Who visits Q near midnight one night and what does she want?

8. What do Margo and Q do to Chuck Parson?

9. How do Margo and Q break into Sea World and what do they do there?

10. What does the prologue say about miracles?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not?

2. Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as Paper Towns help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading Paper Towns? Why or why not.

3. Choose one specific incident in Paper Towns to discuss and compare one of the characters' response to how you think you would respond.

Essay Topic 2

Often, authors will write about "what they know," and sometimes knowing a little about the author makes the books more interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Research and give a brief biographical sketch of John Green.

2. What in Green's background may have helped him in writing Paper Towns? What may have influenced the way he depicts various characters and scenes?

3. Do you think there is always some of the author's own life in his/her novels? Why or why not? Give examples.

Essay Topic 3

Over the course of Paper Towns, Quentin grows as a person in both complexity and understanding. Paper Towns might be considered a slice of Quentin's larger story of his "coming of age." It might be said that Paper Towns is a "bildungsroman" of Quentin Jacobsen. Discuss the following:

1. Define Bildungsroman, or "Coming of Age," and give several examples from literature you have read.

2. Trace and analyze the character of Quentin as he changes from a more carefree, innocent boy to a wiser, young man. What are the significant events that change Quentin?

3. After thoroughly analyzing Quentin 's growth throughout Paper Towns, do you think Paper Towns could be considered Quentin 's Coming of Age story? Why or why not?

4. Are there any other characters in Paper Towns who go through a Coming of Age experience? Who? Why do you think so?